David Josefsberg News

As musical theater composers go, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber has a staggering amount of hits in his repertoire of past shows. THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, the mini-concert tour now performing through Sunday, February 21 at The Orange County Performing Arts Center, serves as a musical gathering of most of the living legend's greatest hits (and a few not-so-successful, more obscure show compositions as well) into a tight two-hour-and-fifteen-minute concert that's less a theater experience than a symphony concert with some amazing singers. Enhanced by a terrific, full on-stage orchestra under the direction of conductor/musical director Edward G. Robinson, six talented Broadway veterans take the audience show by show through Webber's catalogue.

While the Northern East Coast of the U.S. was hammered with blizzard-like conditions last week, Broadway vet Kevin Kern was busy with the launch of THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, the concert revue he co-stars in, which compiles many of the prolific composer's musical hits that are in turn interpreted by six talented, well-known performers of the Broadway stage. Luckily, he and the extraordinary cast will get the chance to thaw out a little bit when the show pays a visit to the Orange County Performing Arts Center for a limited, one-week engagement on February 16 through 21. Kern-whose theater credits include Broadway's Wicked, The Wedding Singer, and Les Miserables, as well as the pre-Broadway runs of 9 to 5: The Musical and Next to Normal-recently took some time in between performances to talk with BroadwayWorld/Costa Mesa to discuss the concert, as well as his early work in the original casts of Altar Boyz and 9 to 5 (in the latter, he divulges his early star-struck shyness towards a certain Ms. Parton). He also breaks the exclusive news (to us first!) about his upcoming involvement in a hit Broadway musical that's about to cross the pond over to London!

The off-Broadway staple Altar Boyz, played its final performance on January 10, 2010 at its home, New World Stages after playing 2032 performances. It is the 9th longest running off-Broadway musical in history.

The off-Broadway staple Altar Boyz, played its final performance on January 10, 2010 at its home, New World Stages after playing 2032 performances - cast members past and present were on stage and on hand to celebrate the show's success. It is the 9th longest running off-Broadway musical in history.

The special return holiday engagement of THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER has broken the house record for the Kennedy Center's Eisenhower Theater. Grossing $650,997 for the week ending January 4, 2009, it was the second and final week of the two-week engagement. A previous edition of the concert event sold out the Kennedy Center's Opera House for a single week in 2004. Both editions were produced by Jeffrey Finn Productions.

Jeffrey Finn Productions is presenting a special return holiday engagement of THE Music Of Andrew Lloyd Webber for two weeks only at the Kennedy Center.

Jeffrey Finn Productions presents a special return holiday engagement of THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER for two weeks only at the Kennedy Center's newly-renovated Eisenhower Theater. The production runs through Sunday, January 4, 2009. The engagement marks the first return of the special concert since a sold out holiday run at the Kennedy Center Opera House in December 2004.

Jeffrey Finn Productions announces a special return holiday engagement of THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER for two weeks only at the Kennedy Center's newly-renovated Eisenhower Theater, Tuesday, December 23, 2008 through Sunday, January 4, 2009. The engagement marks the first return of the special concert since a sold out holiday run at the Kennedy Center Opera House in December 2004.

The New York Musical Theater Festival honored producer Robyn Goodman at its Fifth Anniversary Season Awards Gala on Sunday, November 2nd at The Hudson Theatre.

The New York Musical Theater Festival will honor producer Robyn Goodman at its fifth Anniversary Season Awards Gala on Sunday, November 2nd at The Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). The winners of The NYMF 2008 Awards for Excellence, which will be announced later this month, will also be honored at the gala.

The New York Musical Theater Festival today announced that Raul Esparza, currently starring in Speed the Plow, will perform at the Fifth Season Awards Gala honoring Robyn Goodman; Goodman produced tick...tick...BOOM which launched Esparza's career in New York.

Jeffrey Finn Productions announces final casting for the special return holiday engagement of THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER for two weeks only at the Kennedy Center's newly-renovated Eisenhower Theater, Tuesday, December 23, 2008 through Sunday, January 4, 2009.

NYMF will make available a limited number of $125 dessert tickets for the Fifth Anniversary Season Awards Gala honoring Robyn Goodman.

Jeffrey Finn Productions announces a special return holiday engagement of THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER for two weeks only at the Kennedy Center's newly-renovated Eisenhower Theater, Tuesday, December 23, 2008 through Sunday, January 4, 2009. The engagement marks the first return of the special concert since a sold out holiday run at the Kennedy Center Opera House in December 2004. The official Opening Night will be Saturday, December 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Jeffrey Finn Productions announces a special return holiday engagement of THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER for two weeks only at the Kennedy Center's newly-renovated Eisenhower Theater, Tuesday, December 23, 2008 through Sunday, January 4, 2009. The engagement marks the first return of the special concert since a sold out holiday run at the Kennedy Center Opera House in December 2004.

The New York Musical Theater Festival will honor producer Robyn Goodman at its fifth Anniversary Season Awards Gala on Sunday, November 2nd at The Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). The winners of The NYMF 2008 Awards for Excellence, which will be announced later this month, will also be honored at the gala.

Continuing its free lunchtime series this week, '106.7 Lite fm Presents Broadway in Bryant Park 2008' welcomes the casts of Young Frankenstein, 13, Grease, Legally Blonde The Musical & Rent on Thursday, August 14th. The following day, Friday August 15th the casts of The Lion King, Enter Laughing, Hairspray, Godspell & Forbidden Broadway will be performing.

Continuing its free lunchtime series this week, '106.7 Lite fm Presents Broadway in Bryant Park 2008' welcomes the casts of Young Frankenstein, 13, Grease, Legally Blonde The Musical & Rent on Thursday, August 14th. The following day, Friday August 15th the casts of The Lion King, Enter Laughing, Hairspray, Godspell & Forbidden Broadway will be performing.

'Broadway Stands Up for Freedom', a concert to benefit the Youth Programs of the NYCLU, took place on Monday, July 21 at 7:30pm at the NYU Skirball Center. Hosted by Seth Rudetsky, the event featured opening remarks by playwright Tony Kushner, both of whom also participated in last years event.

Tony Award nominee Gavin Creel (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and 'American Idol' finalist Diana DeGarmo (Hairspray) will star in the new Broadway production of GODSPELL. The first Broadway revival of the landmark rock musical will officially open on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street) on Thursday, October 23, 2008. Previews will begin on Monday, September 29, 2008.